University of California, Irvine - Division of Continuing Education
Paralegal Certificate Program
Online, USA
Certificate
DURATION
24 months
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
USD 8,590 *
STUDY FORMAT
* approximate tuition: $8,590-$9,224
Key Summary
About: UC Irvine offers an American Bar Association-approved Paralegal Certificate with practical training by attorneys and paralegals. The certificate shows commitment to excellence at a top-tier university. Select assignments can earn an Alternative Digital Credential (ADC) — a digital badge to share on LinkedIn. Keywords: paralegal, legal assistant, legal research, document review, litigation support, compliance, e-discovery.
Career Outcomes: US occupational data: Jobs: 337,800 (2019); Projected growth: 10% (2019–2029); Median annual pay: $51,740 (2019). Graduates can work as paralegals, legal assistants, litigation support specialists, document reviewers, e-discovery technicians, compliance analysts, or researchers in law firms, corporate legal departments, government, and nonprofits.
An American Bar Association-approved program
Practical Training Taught by Attorneys and Paralegals
Obtaining a paralegal certificate from the top-tier University of California, Irvine, reflects your commitment to educational excellence and appreciation for academic challenge. Our American Bar Association-approved program gives you knowledge, career preparation, and a prestigious certificate that will differentiate you in the job market.
Earn an Alternative Digital Credential
Successful completion of a qualifying assignment within select courses offers you the opportunity to earn an Alternative Digital Credential (ADC). Also referred to as a digital badge, an ADC is a virtual record of specific skills and competencies you have acquired and provides a verifiable way for you to share your educational achievements with employers, colleagues and others via social platforms like LinkedIn or Facebook.
Course Schedule (Part-Time)
Course schedules are subject to change. Individual courses may be taken without enrolling in the full program.
Required Courses
- Fundamentals of the Paralegal Profession
- Contracts
- Legal Writing
- Legal Research
- Civil Litigation I
- Civil Litigation II
- Ethics for the Paralegal
- Technology Practicum for the Paralegal
- Legal Career Skills
- Online Live
Elective Courses
Choose a minimum of 6 units
- Corporate Law
- Family Law
- Torts
- Criminal Law
- Approximately 300 hours of instruction from practicing attorneys and paralegals from leading law firms, corporations, and nonprofit organizations
- Receive career coaching by an experienced paralegal to develop your resume, assist with your job search, and grow your paralegal professional network in the Legal Career Skills course
- Choose individual courses or participate in the complete certificate program
OCPA members save 10% on tuition for courses in the Paralegal and Contract Management programs.
Career Insight
Occupational summary for paralegals and legal assistants in the United States.
- Jobs: 337,800 (2019)
- Projected Growth: 10% (2019-2029)
- Annual Median Salary: $51,740k (2019)
Who Should Attend
If you are passionate about working with people, have an appreciation for the law, and enjoy the satisfaction of making a real difference in your work, a paralegal career is the perfect choice for you. Those interested in becoming part of a legal services delivery team working under the supervision of attorneys, considering law school, or wanting to take individual courses to brush up on specific skills, should attend.
You can choose the format that works best for your schedule.
- Part-Time (evenings)
Courses are scheduled in the evenings, allowing learners the flexibility to enroll in one or more courses each quarter. Classes are conducted through remote online sessions, incorporating a minimum of 15 units of synchronous instruction using live online evening meetings. - Compressed (full-time)
Earn your certificate in one quarter in this full-time program. Classes are conducted through remote online sessions, incorporating a minimum of 15 units of synchronous instruction through live online daytime and evening meetings.